Graphic Standards: IGES and PDES in an AEC Environment (1987)
article⁄Graphic Standards: IGES and PDES in an AEC Environment (1987)
abstract⁄The idea made a lot of sense many diverse CAD systems communicating a common project database through a neutral format translator. The ‘Initial Graphics Exchange Specification’, kindly known as IGES pronounced ‘I guess’ by its proponents, and ‘I guess not’ by its opponents was the the initial effort, and is either loved or hated there is no ’neutral’ ground. Has it succeeded Has it failed Is there a future in this neutral format business Was CAD meant to be ‘design’ or ‘drafting’ Does industry support it What does it mean for architecture Is a ‘onetomany’ translator a wonderful idea, but impossible to implement Is a complete set of ‘onetoone’ translators a better ideaThis paper will give a short history of IGES, discuss its reason for being, list its strengths and weaknesses, examine its inner workings, and introduce the current effort of the IGES committee a total ‘Product Design Exchange Specification’, PDES and internationally as STEP. It will also discuss the techniques used by the PDES application committees to model their various products, and give a case study of the effort of the AEC committee in modeling an architectural ‘product’.The paper will conclude with the opinions on the future of IGES by the author a four year member of the IGESPDES organization.
